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Aug 15, 2017

Dealing with post-surgery anxiety, need advice!

This topic is about dealing with anxiety and insomnia after having an emergency ileostomy surgery. The person who shared their experience is struggling with severe anxiety that disrupts their sleep, and they are seeking advice from others who might have gone through something similar. Here are some helpful suggestions and insights shared by others:

1. Talk to your doctor about your medication. Sometimes, a different anti-anxiety medication or adjusting the dose can make a big difference. For example, taking lorazepam 0.5 mg about 30 minutes before bed has helped some people.

2. Consider professional counseling or therapy. Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy, PTSD treatment, and regular sessions with a therapist can significantly reduce anxiety and help with sleep issues.

3. Practice mindfulness and guided relaxation. You can find "Mindful Meditations" on YouTube or through meditation apps. Also, watching funny TV clips or jokes can help lighten your mood and reduce stress.

4. Regain a sense of control by focusing on things you can manage, like your daily routine, diet, and activities. Try to limit exposure to negative news or social media. Create a calming personal space with music, puzzles, books, or crafts.

5. Keep your mind busy with new and engaging activities. Some ideas include cooking, learning to bake bread, downloading new games, or trying other creative tasks.

6. Physical activity can improve both your mood and sleep. Start with easy walks, ideally with a partner for motivation and conversation, and gradually increase the distance. Gentle stretching or Pilates at night can also help release nervous energy.

7. Break down overwhelming worries into smaller, manageable issues, and tackle them one at a time to avoid panic attacks.

8. Surround yourself with supportive communities and positive people. Avoid interactions that bring your mood down.

9. If faith or prayer is part of your life, it can be a comforting way to cope with anxiety.

10. Understand that anxiety, insomnia, and body-image concerns are common in the first few months after surgery. Many people find that these feelings improve over time as they heal emotionally.
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